DE102005043706B4 - Restraint system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a restraint system for an occupant of a vehicle sitting on a positionable in various positions vehicle seat, with an interior which is bounded by a housing (1) and at least one airbag, and at least one gas generator for supplying the interior with gas for inflating the gas bag, whereby at least one controllable outflow opening (36-38) provided on the housing (1), which can be closed by a closing element (3) which can be moved from a closed position into an open position, gas can be discharged from the interior in such a way, in that during an accident an internal pressure in the interior space can be set as a function of occupant-relevant parameters. By an adjustable, the opening movement of the closing element (3) limiting stop element (24) which is coupled to the vehicle seat, that the stop element (24) is adjusted in dependence on occupant relevant parameters to adjust the Abströmöffnungsquerschnitt by the in its closed position is located closing element (3) is limited, a restraint system is provided which is simple and inexpensive to produce.

Description

The invention relates to a restraint system for an occupant of a vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

From the generic EP 0 945 314 A2 A restraint system for vehicle occupants is already known which consists of a gas bag with gas generator and ignition device and in which at least one gas outlet opening is provided, in which the flow cross-section and thus the maximum possible gas outlet rate are limited to a predefinable value by means of a stop even before activation of the gas bag can be. To determine the position of this stop and thus the maximum gas outlet cross section, the body mass of the vehicle user, vehicle speed and ambient temperature are taken into account.

The DE 197 29 226 A1 shows a restraint system with a housing in which a folded gas bag and a gas generator are located. The housing is provided with a pressure relief or pressure reducing opening through which the gas generated by the gas generator can be discharged from the housing. The opening degree of the pressure release port is adjusted by a valve which is controlled via an actuator by a control depending on passenger compartment temperature and position of the upper body of the occupant.

The DE 20 2005 005 466 U1 describes a restraint system with a gas bag and a gas generator in a housing in which at least one outflow opening is formed, and with at least one closure device for the outflow opening, which has an adjusting device and a plurality of different pressure-sensitive covers. A certain cover is brought before the onset of an accident and the triggering of the gas bag module by means of the actuator in response to occupant-specific parameters such as weight, seating position, or whether the vehicle occupant is strapped, and the vehicle speed, brought before the outflow to the maximum possible internal pressure and thus to adapt the hardness of the gas bag to the present load case.

From the German patent application DE 101 24 273 A1 is another restraint system for an occupant of a vehicle, known with an interior, which is bounded by a housing and at least one airbag, and at least one gas generator for supplying the interior with gas for inflating the airbag. To improve the safety of the occupants, gas can be discharged from the interior space via at least one controllable outflow opening such that an internal pressure in the interior is set in the interior space as a function of occupant load-relevant parameters during an accident process. For controlling the outflow opening, at least one control device is provided with a closure member arranged at the outflow opening. From the German patent application DE 10 2004 027 703 A1 For example, an airbag module drain with a vent member is known that is movable between an open state that allows flow of inflation fluid through a vent opening and a closed state that at least partially blocks flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening. From the German patent application DE 103 40 910 A1 For example, a method for operating an airbag module is known, in which a defined release is actively set while restricting the flow cross-section of an air intake opening. From the German patent application DE 41 33 506 A1 a safety device with a housing wall is known, in which a discharge opening is provided with a variable effective cross-sectional area. From the German Utility Model DE 299 07 607 U1 is a protective device with a closed passage for a flow of cooling gases from a gas bag known, the cross section can be fully or partially released after activation of the device. From the European patent application EP 0 745 517 A1 and the US patent US 5,366,242 are gas generators with adjustable gas flow known. From the German patent application DE 100 20 795 A1 and the German patent DE 197 49 780 C2 Further restraint systems are known. From the German patent application DE 44 21 814 A1 a safety device for motor vehicles is known.

The object of the invention is to provide a restraint system for an occupant of a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1, which is simple in construction and inexpensive to produce.

A restraint system is formed for an occupant of a vehicle seated on a vehicle seat positionable in various positions, with an interior bounded by a housing and at least one airbag, and with at least one gas generator for supplying the interior with gas for inflating the vehicle Gas bag, wherein via at least one provided on the housing on the gas generator or the gas bag itself, controllable discharge opening, which is closed by a movable from a closed position to an open position closing element, gas from the interior is such discharged that during an accident, an internal pressure in the Interior is adjustable in dependence on occupant relevant parameters. It is also an adjustable, the opening movement of the Closing element limiting stop member provided, which is adjusted in response to occupant relevant parameters to adjust the Abströmöffnungsquerschnitt, which is limited by the closing element located in its closed position. As a result, the amount of gas flow which escapes from the interior during an accident can be adapted, for example, in a simple manner to the vehicle seat position in the vehicle longitudinal direction. As a result, the cross section of the outflow opening is automatically determined by the adjustable stop element as a function of occupant load relevant parameters. For the purposes of the invention, those parameters which are relevant to occupant load are all those parameters which have an influence on the load of an occupant in the event of an accident. By way of example, the weight or the size of the occupant, the position of the vehicle seat or the position of the occupant on the vehicle seat may be mentioned here.

According to the invention, it is provided that the stop element is coupled with the interposition of a reduction gear with the vehicle seat. By the transmission, for example, a vehicle seat displacement path of 30 cm is converted into a stopper element displacement path of 2 cm.

A preferred embodiment of the restraint system is characterized in that the closing element is formed by a slide. The slide is preferably designed so that it simultaneously closes a plurality of outflow openings in its closed position, which it releases in its open position. Instead of the slider, a flap can also be used.

Further preferred embodiments of the restraint system are characterized in that the stop element is coupled to the vehicle seat such that the Abströmöffnungsquerschnitt linear, non-linear or limited linearly related to the vehicle seat position.

A further preferred embodiment of the restraint system is characterized in that the Abströmöffnungsquerschnitt is released in stages depending on the vehicle seat position and of occupant relevant parameters.

It is also conceivable that the outflow surface, so the outflow volume, with an actuator, such as an electric motor, depending on the detected seat position, occupant position, occupant weight, Gurtanlegestatus or accident severity is set. Thus, a mechanical coupling between the vehicle seat and stop element would not be necessary.

A further preferred embodiment of the restraint system is characterized in that a second, the opening movement of the closing element limiting stop member cooperates with a buckle switch to adjust the Abströmöffnungsquerschnitt, which is bounded by the closing element located in its closed position. Preferably, the second stop element is independent of the first stop element or this parent. The buckle switch can take into account whether the occupant is belted. If the occupant is not wearing a seatbelt, the airbag must be harder because it is the only means of restraint. Then, for example, with the aid of a magnet, a second stop for the closing element can be defined, which ensures that the closing element does not open at all or only slightly.

A further preferred embodiment of the restraint system is characterized in that the second stop element comprises a magnet. By the magnet, the closing element can be extended in the region of the stop.

A further preferred embodiment of the restraint system is characterized in that the closing element is moved by means of a pyrotechnic device from its closed position to its open position when the restraint system is activated. The triggering of the pyrotechnic device takes place, inter alia, depending on the severity of the accident, the weight and / or posture of the occupant and the belt status. From these quantities, a defined switching time is calculated, that is, a time during which the pyrotechnic device is activated and the closing element is moved or released.

Another embodiment of the restraint system is characterized in that the closing element can be opened by the gas pressure of the gas generator or the second gas generator stage. This embodiment describes a so-called self-opening variant, that is, at a high internal gas pressure in the interior of the restraint system, the closing element is moved by the gas pressure from its closed position to its open position. Thus, for example, in small light persons, in which the seat, so the occupant, is relocated relatively close to the outlet opening of the airbag, the high internal pressure can be rapidly reduced, so that a softer airbag is available.

Since the airbag cover on the instrument panel or in the steering wheel to open a relatively high pressure, this should Closing be moved only when the airbag cover is fully open. In order to prevent premature pressure loss through the released from the closing element outflow openings on the housing, the outflow openings are released after the opening of the airbag cover. This can be done for example by a mechanism between the airbag cover and the closing element. Thus, the closing element could be locked via tension elements, such as bands or ropes, which are attached to the airbag cover. The swiveling of the airbag cover shortens the tension element, so that the lock is released and the outflow opening is released.

In addition to the switchable discharge opening according to the invention, it can be provided that the gas bag also has a constant outflow opening. As a result, a constant proportion of gas can escape from the gas bag, while a variable portion can escape via the switchable discharge opening on the housing. This can also be achieved by a corresponding gas permeability (permeability) of the gas bag.

Various embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Showing:

1 a perspective view of a section of a restraint system according to the invention with closed outflow openings;

2 the restraint system 1 with opened outflow openings,

3 a Cartesian coordinate system in which the size of the discharge opening is plotted over the longitudinal position of a vehicle seat,

4 a schematic representation of a restraint system according to the invention with a further outflow opening in the gas bag,

5a a coordinate system in which the relationship between seat position / occupant position and airbag gas volume is shown,

5b a coordinate system in which the relationship between seat position / occupant position and the airbag volume / airbag propagation is shown,

6 a coordinate system in which the relationship between seat position / occupant position and outflow port is shown,

7 a coordinate system showing the relationship between belt status and discharge opening,

8th a coordinate system in which the relationship between occupant weight and discharge opening is shown,

9 a coordinate system in which the relationship between seat position and airbag internal pressure as a function of occupant weight and crash severity is shown,

10 a perspective view of a restraint system according to the invention in a further embodiment,

11a a side view of the embodiment according to 10 such as

11b a top view of the embodiment according to 10 ,

In 1 a detail of a restraint system according to the invention is shown in perspective, which is a housing 1 with a slider 3 includes. On the case 1 is a U-shaped frame 5 attached, the two guide rails 6 . 7 has, which are arranged parallel to each other and in which the slider 3 in the longitudinal direction of the guide rails 6 . 7 slidably guided.

The slider 3 has the shape of a rectangular plate 10 that have two rectangular recesses 11 . 12 having. In the area of one end of the slider 3 goes from the rectangular plate 10 a bent actuating finger 14 from, which can be designed deformable. The free end of the actuating finger 14 is to a piston housing 15 directed towards. In the piston housing 15 is added a pyrotechnic device through which the slider 3 over the actuating finger 14 from his in 1 illustrated closed position in his in 2 shown opening position is moved. The pyrotechnic device is secured against overpressure, as it must be ensured that the stop rail 24 is not displaced by the pyrotechnic device.

Furthermore, on the piston housing 15 facing end of the rectangular plate 10 of the slider 3 a stop flag 20 attached at right angles from the rectangular plate 10 protrudes and which can be deformable. The stop flag 20 is in the closed position of the slider 3 at a distance to a stop surface 22 arranged at one end of a stop rail 24 is provided. The stop rail 24 is with the help of a reduction gear 28 relative to the housing and the U-shaped frame 5 movable. The reduction gear 28 has a recording 30 for one end of a (not shown) Bowden cable, the other end is fixed to a vehicle seat. In an electric drive is the recording 30 designed for a corresponding drive.

In 2 is the slider 3 in his open position. In the open position, the slider is 3 three outflow openings 36 to 38 free in the housing 1 are provided. The number of outflow openings is freely selectable, but at least one is necessary. In the open position of the slider 3 lies the stop flag 20 at the stop surface ( 22 in 1 ) of the stop rail 24 at. Thus, the size of the slide 3 shared opening cross section of the outflow openings 36 to 38 through the stop rail 24 established. The stop rail 24 turn, with the help of the reduction gear 28 via the Bowden cable coupled to the vehicle seat in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 6 moved when the vehicle seat is adjusted. Thus, the size of the outflow openings is adjusted by the seat longitudinal position. The Bowden cable is preferably mounted on a seat rail and forms a direct connection to the control of the outflow cross section.

About a buckle switch 34 can also be considered whether the occupant is belted. If the occupant is not belted, the gas bag must be harder because it serves as the sole means of restraint. For this purpose, for example, with the aid of a magnet, a second stop for the slide can be defined, which ensures that the slide does not open or only slightly. This defines a new cross-section that should be active whenever the occupant is not wearing a seatbelt. For this purpose, a magnet can be used, which extends the slider in the area of the stop. According to an essential aspect of the present invention, the seat longitudinal position determines the size of Abströmöffnungsquerschnitts in the open state of the slider. If the occupant, for example, a small person occupies a front sitting position, then the stop element is moved so that the slider as much surface of the opening cross-section releases. If the occupant, for example a tall person, assumes a rear sitting position, then the stop element, in particular the stop rail, is displaced so that the slider covers a large area of the opening cross section. This ensures that the airbag is soft for a small person and the airbag is as hard as possible for a tall person. Depending on the vehicle conditions, a linear or non-linear control of Abströmöffnungsquerschnitts depending on the seat longitudinal position is possible.

In 3 a Cartesian coordinate diagram is shown, in which the controllable Abströmöffnungsquerschnitt A is plotted in percent over the seat longitudinal position or occupant position S. At zero, the vehicle seat is in its front and at eight in its rear end position. With 41 is a linear relationship and with 42 denotes a limited linear relationship between the Abströmöffnungsquerschnitt and the seat longitudinal position. With 43 and 44 are two non-linear relationships between the Abströmöffnungsquerschnitt A and the seat longitudinal position S designated.

In 4 is the restraint system according to the invention with a further outflow opening 50 in a gas bag 51 shown. The housing 1 with the sliding slide 3 is shown only schematically. With this combination of a switchable and a constant outflow opening even more load cases can be mapped.

The 5 to 9 All show relationships between selected occupant load relevant parameters and the safety device according to the invention.

So goes from the presentation in 5 shows that with increasing distance between the seat and the outlet opening of the airbag in the instrument panel or in the steering wheel, the airbag volume increases. This is controlled via the discharge opening on the housing or on the gas generator, which is set more or less over a large area depending on the position of the seat. As 6 shows must be kept large at a seating position far ahead the outflow, while at a rear seat position, the discharge opening is very small or completely closed.

A similar relationship can be established between the belt application status and the discharge opening, such as 7 shows. If the belt is not worn, there should be a small discharge opening, since then the gas bag is the only means of retention.

According to 8th takes the outflow opening with increasing occupant weight.

The airbag internal pressure decreases with increasing distance between the outlet opening of the airbag and the seat position, since the deploying airbag travels a greater distance until the occupant is intercepted ( 9 ).

In summary, it can be said that with the restraint system according to the invention, the gas bag internal pressure, so the damping, and the gas bag volume can be influenced either with a mechanical coupling between the discharge opening and the position of the vehicle seat or with a coupling between the discharge opening and an actuator, the according to the sensed occupant load relevant data is set.

In 10 is a perspective view of a restraint system according to the invention shown in a further embodiment. Like reference numerals designate like components to the previous first embodiment. Instead of the slider, the restraint system has a flap 60 on, the recesses 61 and 62 having. At the free end 63 the flap 60 is an actuating finger 64 attached. The opposite end 65 is with the output of a drive device 66 coupled through which the flap 60 over the actuating finger 64 from his in 10 position shown in his in 11b respectively 11a shown position is moved.

Claims (16)

Restraint system for an occupant of a vehicle seated on a vehicle seat positionable in various positions with an interior space defined by a housing ( 1 ) and at least one gas bag is limited, and with at least one gas generator for supplying the interior with gas for inflating the gas bag, wherein at least one controllable outflow opening ( 36 - 38 ), which by a movable from a closed position to an open position closing element ( 3 ) is closable, gas is discharged from the interior such that during an accident, an internal pressure in the interior in dependence on occupant relevant parameters by means of an adjustable, the opening movement of the closing element ( 3 ) limiting stop element ( 24 ) is adjustable in order to adjust the Abströmöffnungsquerschnitt, by the closing element located in its closed position ( 3 ) is limited, characterized in that the stop element ( 24 ) with the interposition of a reduction gear ( 28 ) is coupled to the vehicle seat. Restraint system according to claim 1, characterized in that the closing element ( 3 ) is formed by a slider. Restraint system according to claim 1, characterized in that the closing element ( 3 ) from a flap ( 60 ) is formed. Restraint system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop element ( 24 ) is coupled to the vehicle seat such that the Abströmöffnungsquerschnitt is linearly related to the vehicle seat position. Restraint system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the stop element ( 24 ) is coupled to the vehicle seat such that the Abströmöffnungsquerschnitt is not linearly related to the vehicle seat position. Restraint system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the stop element ( 24 ) is coupled to the vehicle seat so that the Abströmöffnungsquerschnitt limited linearly related to the vehicle seat position. Restraint system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the stop element ( 24 ) Is coupled to the vehicle seat, that the Abströmöffnungsquerschnitt is released in stages depending on the vehicle seat position and of occupant relevant parameters. Restraint system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the stop element ( 24 ) is adjustable by an actuator which is controllable according to the detected occupant load relevant parameters. Restraint system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second the opening movement of the closing element ( 3 ) limiting stop element with a buckle switch ( 34 ) cooperates to set the Abströmöffnungsquerschnitt, which by the closing element located in its closed position ( 3 ) is limited. Restraint system according to claim 9, characterized in that the second stop element comprises a magnet. Restraint system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing element ( 3 ) is moved by means of a pyrotechnic device from its closed position into its open position after a time relevant to occupant exposure t after activation of the restraint system. Restraint system according to claim 11, characterized in that the activation of the pyrotechnic device is dependent on the evaluation of the parameters of accident severity and / or occupant weight and / or occupant attitude and / or belt status. Restraint system according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the closing element ( 3 ) by the gas pressure of the gas generator and / or the first gas generator stage and / or the second gas generator stage is operable. Restraint system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a movement of the closing element ( 3 ) after release of the airbag cover. Restraint system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one outflow opening is provided in the gas bag. Restraint system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outflow opening ( 36 - 38 ) is switched in a two-stage gas generator until the second stage ignition.

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